The Tedeschi-Trucks band has something for everyone: jamming rock tones, enchanting acoustic vibes, a powerful female soul singer, and a masterful slide player. The husband and wife led twelve-piece jam band has been heavily active in the scene since 2010 and has been a major staple at many festivals. This album Live From the Fox Oakland showcases a well-seasoned and top-notch group of musicians who are the best at their craft. The album has recently been nominated for the 2018 Best Contemporary Blues Album Award. This is a must listen for all jam, rock, and blues fans out there!

Gov’t Mule: Revolution Come… Revolution Go

Warren Haynes and the boys of Gov’t Mule did it again! Their latest album Revolution Come… Revolution Go is a hard-hitting blues rock album, continuing their 23-year tradition of turning out great music. Recording of this album began on election night in 2016 which spawned some of the creative direction and anger that you might hear coming through. According to Allmusic.com “Revolution Come… Revolution Go is easily Gov’t Mule‘s most urgent record, but their call to arms isn’t preachy; instead, righteous anger is refracted through the lens of empathy.” At the very least, you need to hear “Stone Cold Rage!”

Sonny Landreth: Recorded Live in Lafayette

Sonny Landreth is the undisputed champion of slide guitar. He has been going strong since 1973, releasing about 16 albums and bringing people his unique slide playing technique and style of Zydeco music. Named as “King of Slydeco” Landreth takes the Creole music of Zydeco which combines blues, R&B, and native creole music and adds his slide playing to it. Unlike many other slider players, Landreth uses the slide on his pinky finger, enabling him to solo with his remaining fingers. No wonder Joe Bonamassa calls him a “freak of guitar nature.” Recorded Live in Lafayette is a stellar display of Landreth’s talent and showcases both acoustic dobro playing as well as his typical electric playing. It also has something very odd for modern blues music, an accordion player! The album has been nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album in the 2018 Grammy Awards.

Joe Bonamassa: Live at Carnegie Hall: An Acoustic Evening

In 2017, blues-rock titan Joe Bonamassa maintained his title of having the most #1 Billboard Chart-Topping Blues Albums than anyone else in history with his album Live at Carnegie Hall: An Acoustic Evening. This album is special because it shows the musician excelling in an area where he feels he is not as strong at, the dreaded acoustic guitar. However, together with his exceptional nine-piece band including a Chinese cellist and an Egyptian percussionist, Bonamassa delivered a beautiful live acoustic album at the esteemed Carnegie Hall in New York City! The album received great recognition and reached number 64 on the Billboard 200 chart and continues to appear high on the blues charts as well.

Samantha Fish: Belle of the West and Chills & Fever

As soon as Samantha Fish released her first album Live Bait in 2009, she was already poised to be one of the best modern blues artists in the scene. Now, almost 9 years later, Fish is at the top of her game having released 9 studio albums and playing with some heavy artists in the blues. This year alone, she released two knock-out albums Belle of The West and Chills & Fever. Both albums showcase Fish’s incredible vocal abilities and guitar skills. This soul and blues beauty is far from finished!

Robert Randolph and the Family Band: Got Soul

I just got into Robert Randolph recently, and boy was I missing out! Randolph has been performing and recording professionally since 2001 and is one of the baddest cats on the prowl today. His lap-steel playing is over the top impressive and he can hang with almost any blues guitarist, going lick for lick with the best of them. Got Soul is a fun album riddled with high octane blues jams, sweet soul, and of course Randolph’s signature slide sounds. The album features blues guitarist Eric Gales, sax expert Jeff Coffin, and many more great musicians. The album also rightfully received a nominee for a 2018 Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album. This album as a whole is a fun ride from start to finish!

TajMo

One mixes world music and nontraditional sounds, the other combines folk, jazz, and pop. However, both Taj Mahal and Keb Mo are strait blues masters at their core. Their collaboration album TajMo features everything from traditional acoustic blues to funky soul jams. “The collaboration between Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ sounds spontaneous, with mutual respect for each other and for what each one represents in the music.” -Blues Rock Review

Eric Bibb: Migration Blues

Eric Bibb does something not too many musicians do, he is keeping traditional blues music very much alive. With just an acoustic guitar, his soulful voice, and a desire to carry on the tradition of the Mississippi Delta, Bibb’s Migration Blues is a beautiful album and a fantastic salute to the traditional blues artists like Charlie Patton or Robert Johnson. It is just raw and pure blues. The album was nominated for the “Best Traditional Blues Album” 2018 Grammy Award. Personally, it has my vote! “Powerful stuff from beginning to end from one of the most thoughtful musicians on the planet” – Blues Blast

Walter Trout: We’re All In This Together

Walter Trout has been performing since 1969, has been in many different bands including canned heat, and continues to be representation of a killer blues guitarist. For many years, Trout has been battling liver cancer. As a show that he isn’t backing down, We’re All in This Together is a balls to the wall blues album that leaves nothing on the table. The album also features other amazing blues musicians like Eric Gales, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Warren Haynes, Joe Bonamassa and many others. If you want to hear a stand out album from a living blues guitar veteran, look no further.

For more great reading material for your holiday break, check out these awesome articles!